Benavidez vs Cieslak Set For December 5 Unification

David Benavidez will defend his cruiserweight titles against Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification bout December 5 in Phoenix, as Bad Left Hook first reported. The DAZN pay-per-view event was moved up a week from its originally planned date to avoid conflict with Joshua-Fury.

The WBC strap entered the mix after Noel Mikaelian vacated rather than face mandatory challenger Benavidez, opting instead to pursue a Zuffa Boxing deal. Cieslak claimed the WBC interim belt by stopping Jean Pascal two years ago and has since extended his knockout run to seven straight fights. The Pole holds wins in every bout since his lopsided loss to Lawrence Okolie in 2022, though he has not gone to the scorecards since 2019.

Benavidez carries a 32-0 record with 26 knockouts into the biggest night of his cruiserweight campaign. A win would position him for a four-belt showdown with Jai Opetaia in 2027. Cieslak stands 28-2 with 22 stoppages but has come up short in both previous world title attempts.

The supporting card is coming together through scattered reports. Per Julius Julianis, Vergil Ortiz Jr will meet Keith Thurman in a generational clash at welterweight. Chris Mannix adds that Elijah Garcia faces rising Irish contender Tommy O'Toole in a super middleweight bout, while TVP Sport's Piotr Jagiello confirms the Phoenix venue. Interim WBC middleweight titlist Jesus Ramos Jr also lands on the bill against an opponent to be determined, as full champion Carlos Adames works through a voluntary defense before facing mandatory Meiirim Nursultanov.

The December 5 date puts Benavidez-Cieslak one week ahead of the rescheduled Joshua-Fury card.